The “Student” Athlete Dilemma at Major Universities

For years, student-athletes at
major universities and colleges as well as the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) have wrestled over the control of education, schedules and
money generated by major athletics. Currently, the NCAA and universities share
a few billion dollars generated from college football, both men and women
basketball revenues, while the athletes get a scholarship – a “free”
education.

However, the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) decided in March of this year that football players at
Northwestern University were now considered “employees,” giving them authority
to unionize.1 The decision illuminated that, in exchange
for tuition, meals, room and board, the “students” must spend 50-60 hours per
week in football related activities during training camp, dropping to 40-50
hours per week during the regular season,2
and have a relationship with universities more akin to employer-employee.

These activities are beyond
academic time, team study halls and traditional student studies. But the NLRB decision prompted Ohio lawmakers
to approve a bill amendment that ensures Ohio’s student-athletes are not
considered employees.3

So are they students seeking
higher education or employees earning profits for university employers and
themselves? These two theories seem like
a hybrid.

The NCAA reportedly will distribute
nearly $200 million generated this year from broadcasting contracts to top-tier
conferences participating in its basketball tournament,4
and will reap millions more from bowl games and commercial use of athlete
names, images and likenesses.5 These students participate during the
traditional academic year.6

Current and former student-athletes
in revenue-generating sports7
have raised issues concerning passive dissuasion from attending classes in their
preferred academic majors,8
obtaining degrees in limited-value majors,9
long-term healthcare and, yes, obtaining a piece of the money that they help
generate.10 Other
reports have highlighted academic improprieties and pressure by universities to
keep these types of students eligible.11 Despite this, these athletes in large part,
are earning valuable degrees from reputable institutions while being spared
from the student loans saddling today’s traditional college student.

These issues are legally complex and
there is no easy solution for the NCAA, universities and student-athletes. They and the viewing public are in it
together, and need to have a serious dialogue rather than a dictatorial
resolution.

[1]
Northwestern University is appealing the decision, and the players’ vote
results is sealed pending appeal.

[2] Northwestern University v. College Athletes
Players Ass’n
, U.S.N.L.R.B. Case No. 13-RC-121359, p. 6. Activities include games, practices, weight
training, film study, medical treatment, and media response. According to the opinion, the off-season
schedule is just as grueling.